The term cutting the cord has a whole new meaning. Whereas it used to refer to our relationships with others, it now has a more literal interpretation.

Millions of people have made the move around the world, but those who are change-averse are still hesitating. They see it as stepping off a cliff into the abyss of the unknown. The reality is that it can be very liberating.

Have you cut the cord?

The second you started using a cell phone instead of your fixed landline, you’d already cut one cord. Once everyone had realized how convenient it was, the cell phone took off. It’s descendant, the smartphone has changed the way people live their lives today. Hardly anyone talks on their landline anymore, preferring instead to call from their cell phones, text, or interact on social media.

So, what does cutting the cord mean? While you could choose to interpret it narrowly, it has a wider meaning. It means leaving certain practices in the past and using new ones in the future. 

For example, when people started using cars instead of horses and carriages, they were cutting the cord. It was probably a bit scary at first, but today the motor vehicle reigns supreme as the preferred mode of land transport.

The next act of cutting the cord

The latest cutting of the cord that people are starting to embrace is streaming tv instead of having conventional cable services. Most people have become so accustomed to having cable in their home that the idea of abandoning it seems ludicrous. But it is precisely what hundreds of households are doing each day.

What the advocates for cutting the cord say:

When you use a television streaming service, you have access to a lot of content. Instead of waiting for one of your cable channels to air the movie you want to see, the streaming service has it on demand.

Fewer people are sitting down to watch television daily. And a lot of people complain that cable television channels are full of commercials, repetitions, and behind on release dates. Others don’t want to wait a week to see the latest episode of a series. They prefer to binge watch it when they have time.

What do its detractors say?

If you’re going to cut the cord, be prepared to spend some money. You can only access a streaming service if your television set is compatible. 

The Apple TV is an example of what you’d need. Next, you’ll have to subscribe to a streaming service. There are several different services to choose between, and you might want to use more than one. Subscription rates vary. Deciding on more than one streaming service can wind up costing more than your cable subscription.

But are they right? Technically they are, but there are no contracts with the streaming services, so you are free to cancel and re-subscribe at any time. You’ll have to manage all your subscriptions you must know the terms and conditions each provider has for cancellations.

So, what are you going to do?

Before you decide on what you want to do, weigh up your options. Look at the different streaming providers. What do they charge? What content do they offer? This information will give you an indication of whether this is something you’d like to do.

Cutting the cord is a personal decision. It has a lot to do with you, your preferences, and your viewing habits. However, don’t write it off because it’s new. Thousands of people have cut the cord and couldn’t be happier.

So, to cut or not to the cut, that’s the question. How will you answer it?

In terms of careers, coding is one of the skills in the most significant demand. There is a growing market for computer programming, web engineering, and app development.

The best way to develop proficiency in the different programming languages or codes is to learn them from a young age. Humans absorb new languages more easily the younger they are. And programming is a different language that students need to master.

1. Coding tools for younger children

Children learn through fun. That’s why many of the coding tools for younger kids are centered around games.

• Code.org is aimed at kids of different ages who want to learn about coding and computer programming. The interactive lessons make coding and computer programming fun, and exciting. They cover game design, website creation, and app development.
• App Lab offers kids the chance to learn to code in JavaScript using blocks or text. Being able to transition between the two modes sets App Lab apart. Kids can see their text-based code next to their block-based sequence, allowing them to see the relationship between the two.

2. Coding tools for older kids

As children develop further coding skills, they’re going to want to seek more demanding challenges. They’re expanding their knowledge and need a way to apply it.

• CodeCombat is a game that develops a child’s ability in different programming structures like Python, JavaScript, and others. Coding skills are required to be able to manipulate and move their character around on the screen. The game is quite advanced but offers detailed tutorials for coding beginners.
• Treehouse offers students the chance to work at their own pace. It is aimed at middle-school and high-school students.
• Code Avengers offers kids the chance to work with real code. It is challenging and might require some advanced coding skills.

3. Coding tools for college students

High school graduates who choose to pursue a career in coding and programming do a lot of practical tasks. They may need some programming assignment help as they need assistance with some of the finer points of programming and coding.

By now, students should be familiar with the different coding and programming languages:

JavaScript

JavaScript is a programming language that is used to allow web browsers to interact with each other. It enables your web browser to direct you to a website.

Java

Described as a general-purpose programming language, Java is supported by multiple platforms. This allows programmers to follow the WORA principle. WORA stands for Write Once Run Anywhere. A programmer doesn’t need to reconfigure the program for each platform.

PHP

PHP works on the server-side and is a scripting language. It is used in the engineering of static or dynamic websites. Some web applications also use PHP. Unlike Java, PHP scripts can only run on servers with PHP installed on them.

Perl

A lot of web applications contain Perl, which is a programming language. It is feature-rich and described as a high-level, general-purpose programming language.

HTML and CSS

Successful website development requires an understanding of HTML and CSS. HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language, and CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheets. Both work on various devices. HTML is important for web page structure, while CSS is necessary for the layout and aesthetic effect of the website.

Learning these languages is complex and might not be easy for all students. Different approaches are necessary. One-on-one tutoring is often helpful. Many students find seeing the answer and having a tutor work it back to the question a helpful process. Others need more detailed explanations to understand the steps they need to follow to get to the answer.

For many families, deciding when the time is right to start helping a child look at colleges is often a complex process. A child’s maturity level and personal goals all come into play when creating a timeline for college applications, but it also helps to know what your family can afford to pay when it comes to tuition costs.

Fortunately, there are ways to know when the time is right to find the perfect college for your child and for your family’s budget. Here are just a few great ways to decide when to begin looking at schools, and why doing so can give your child an edge in a competitive process.

1. Starting in Early High School
If your child expresses an interest in college in their freshman or sophomore year of high school, a visit to various target schools can be very informative for them. After knowing what is required to gain admission to target colleges, for example, children can get a good sense of how they will need to perform over the course of their high school careers to gain admission to their dream school. Preparing early for college admissions may also give your child the boost of confidence they need to excel in their studies.

2. Benefits of Starting in Your Child’s Junior Year
If you feel as though your child’s academic performance in junior year is a good indicator of their scholarly potential, beginning the college search at this stage might be helpful for your family.

Indeed, by researching schools well ahead of admissions deadlines, you’ll avoid the rush to complete applications that plagues many seniors, and you’ll still also have time to visit college campuses that interest your child. By getting a good sense of between five and ten colleges to apply to, your child will be able to enter their senior year with a good sense of what they’ll need to achieve to remain competitive as an applicant.

3. Knowing the Costs Ahead of Time
Moreover, by starting the college search in your child’s junior year, you’ll give yourself time to become familiar with the different tuition rates and financial aid packages available at various universities. Researching school websites or reading a 10 cheapest accredited online colleges list can also help you narrow down the best options your family’s budget.

If the sticker price on your child’s first-choice college seems beyond your budget, however, don’t get too worried; try contacting the school’s financial aid office to see what kind of deals are available. You might just find that scholarships, grants, and work study options significantly lower the costs of attendance at your child’s target schools.

4. Using Senior Year Wisely
If your child is a late bloomer in their studies, you might want to hold off on looking for colleges until their senior year. So long as the process isn’t put off until too late in the game, finding schools during a child’s senior year can be a rewarding process that plays to their strengths.

This is particularly true for children who have increased their GPA over time; admissions committees at universities recognize that some students mature later than others, so don’t be alarmed if your child needs to start the search for colleges later than their peers. Finding the right college is more like a marathon than a race!

5. Considering the Benefits of a Gap Year
Indeed, if your child is a late bloomer, a gap year between high school and college can also be a great opportunity to formulate plans for the future. Because your child will have an extra year to gain work experience, retake standardized tests, and visit college campuses, a gap year may be just the thing your child needs to take their academic performance to the next level.

For these reasons, it isn’t always easy to decide when to start the college search. While there are many factors to consider in choosing an academic program that is right for your child, understanding your child’s needs and your financial resources can help you make the right choice. Truly, that is planning for the future at its best!

Welcoming a new baby into the world is an exciting time, but it’s also a scary one for new parents. They don’t give you a manual on parenting, and with so many unknowns, it’s easy to become fearful of the future – especially when it comes to safety. 

Here are six basic safety tips for new parents.

1. Choose Your Stroller Carefully

A stroller allows you to get out and explore the world as a family. But it’s important to take your time and choose your stroller carefully. 

Between 1990 and 2010, 360,937 children aged 5 or younger were injured in carrier- and stroller-related accidents. Among the stroller-related injuries, 25% of the children were diagnosed with traumatic brain injury.

Design and manufacturing defects can contribute to these injuries. Make sure that you choose a stroller that passes all of the safety checks. You’ll pay more for a good stroller, but you can’t put a price on your child’s health and safety.

2. Purchase Furniture That Adheres to Safety Standards

When choosing furniture for your nursery, make sure that all items adhere to federal safety standards. This includes your baby’s crib, dressers, changing tables, chairs and any other furnishings that may be in the room.

Make sure that all large items are anchored to the wall to prevent them from tipping over onto your child. The changing table should also have a strap attached to keep your baby securely in place while changing her diaper. 

3. Baby-Proof the House

If you haven’t done so already, babyproof your home. Start now. Your little one will be crawling and moving around on her own before you know it. 

Here are some tips:

• Place baby gates at the tops and bottoms of stairs. 
• Anchor TVs and large furniture items to walls. 
• Place safety covers over electrical outlets.
• Install fireplace screens around hearths.
• Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every floor.
• Install child safety locks on cabinets and refrigerator doors.
• Install stove knob covers.
• Keep glassware out of reach.
• Remove tablecloths.

4. Make Sure Your Car Seat is Properly Installed 

If possible, have your new car seat installed by a certified child passenger seat technician (CPST), which you can find at car seat check events. If there are no events near you, make sure that you understand how to properly install a car seat. 

The hospital will check to make sure that you have a car seat before you’re discharged. Having it installed and ready to go will help make the big day go more smoothly. 

5. Put Your Baby Safely to Sleep

As tempting as it may be to fill your baby’s crib with soft, cozy blankets, these items are serious hazards. Your baby’s crib should have a firm mattress and a fitted sheet – nothing more. Babies should sleep on their backs to prevent suffocation. 

Use a sleep sack on colder nights, and make sure that the crib is away from windows. 

6. Be Mindful of Water and Milk Temperatures

Make sure that your water heater is set to 120° F to prevent burns. Baby formula/breast milk should never be heated in the microwave. Microwaves heat unevenly which creates hotspots that could potentially injure your baby. 

Warm bottles by running them under warm tap water or submerging them in a warm bowl of water.